Jacques Slade is Director/Producer/Host of This Week in Sneaks, a contributor to Complex Sneakers, and is YouTube Expert with a special concentration in Sneakers. Give him a follow on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

]]>http://blog.finishline.com/2014/08/14/jordan-3-sport-blue-kd-7-calm-before-the-storm-jordan-14-ferrari-the-heat-check/feed/1Air Jordan 5Lab3http://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/27/air-jordan-5lab3/
http://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/27/air-jordan-5lab3/#commentsThu, 27 Mar 2014 21:32:06 +0000http://blog.finishline.com/?p=20386When looking back at the Air Jordan line there are a few design materials or patterns that come to mind that helped define MJ’s sneaker legacy. Some that come to mind are the Elephant Print on the 3s and patent leather on the 11s. These special materials and the creativity behind them have never went out of style and continue to be seen on retro releases as well as new models. The Elements Lab at Nike Headquarters has been hard at work to deliver special models that spotlight the iconic materials that helped Air Jordan revolutionize the sports and fashion world. The Elements Lab has a clear mission and it isn’t to create Jordan Fusions like the 6 rings but rather to educate and highlight the specific design elements that make up classic Air Jordans. You can’t reflect back on these materials without thinking about the reflective metal-like layer on the tongue of the Jordan 5s. Yes, we’re talking about that part of the shoe that you turn on the flash for when snapping and Instagram pic of your 5s.

We saw the 3Lab5s debut last year with an all Elephant Print 5 so it makes sense that Jordan Brand treats us to a 5Lab3 model in 2014. The newest drop from the Jordan Elements collection is a premium Jordan 3 that features a reflective metallic silver upper with a traditional Elephant Print trim and an icy Powder Blue sole.

Jacques Slade is Director/Producer/Host of This Week in Sneaks, a contributor to Complex Sneakers, and is YouTube Expert with a special concentration in Sneakers. Give him a follow on Twitter, @Kustoo, YouTube, and Instagram.

]]>http://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/27/air-jordan-3-5lab3-nike-air-raid-reebok-kamikaze-nike-free-trainer-5-0-the-heat-check/feed/3Stylish Slide Sandals for Springhttp://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/11/stylish-slide-sandals-for-spring/
http://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/11/stylish-slide-sandals-for-spring/#commentsTue, 11 Mar 2014 17:30:03 +0000http://blog.finishline.com/?p=10329Spring is right around the corner. And in some parts of the country, it’s already pool season. Anyway, here are some sandal suggestions to cure your Spring Fever and get you amped for some warmer temps.

Looking for a pair of sandals to slip on after a workout? Check out the Air Jordan Retro 3 Sandals. Mashing up comfort and all the styling from the Air Jordan Retro 3, this slide has plenty of swag and sports the perfect fit.

Need a pair of casual sandals for a quick stroll around the neighborhood? Look no further than the Nike Benassi JDI Print. After a long day at work, you will need something comfortable and easy that lets those toes get some air.

The Puma Ferrari Slidesareperfect for the stylish car lover that’s tired of always dressing up and wants to take the opportunity to dress down just a little. No judgment coming from us.

The UA Ignite Illusion Slides are another great choice. You won’t need to worry about them slipping off, and they’re super lightweight and cushy.

Ditch the sneakers and formal shoes as the weather warms up this spring for some ready-to-go sandals. Might we suggest opting-in for a pedicure? You’ll thank us later.

]]>http://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/11/stylish-slide-sandals-for-spring/feed/0Air Jordan 3 Special Edition: The Heat Checkhttp://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/06/air-jordan-3-special-edition-the-heat-check/
http://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/06/air-jordan-3-special-edition-the-heat-check/#commentsFri, 07 Mar 2014 00:00:45 +0000http://blog.finishline.com/?p=19514Getting into all that the Air Jordan 3 has to offer, Jacques @kustoo Slade brings you this special episode of The Heat Check. Here’s what he has to say on the history, evolution, Elephant print, and more.

]]>http://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/06/air-jordan-3-special-edition-the-heat-check/feed/1The Air Jordan 3 Gets a Taste of Infraredhttp://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/03/the-air-jordan-3-gets-a-taste-of-infrared/
http://blog.finishline.com/2014/03/03/the-air-jordan-3-gets-a-taste-of-infrared/#commentsMon, 03 Mar 2014 20:09:18 +0000http://blog.finishline.com/?p=19311Infrared is more than just a color when it comes to sneakers. In fact, it’s become as iconic as the sneakers that feature the color. From the Air Max 90 to the Air Jordan 6, countless models in between, to this upcoming version of the Air Jordan 3, Infrared instantly turns heads and has the internet buzzing when it lands on a new silhouette.

The Air Jordan 3 “Infrared” only features a hint of the popular color, but it’s tasteful and is combined with the ever-popular Elephant Print that makes the Jordan 3 so popular. The white upper uses a contrasting black tongue and black accents throughout the midsole with Infrared touches on the eyelets and outsole, creating a new but familiar makeup that will be a summer staple.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing early-season developments was that No. 1 recruit Andrew Wiggins was not necessarily the best freshman on his own team. Surprising most – though not everyone – Joel Embiid stormed onto the scene for the Jayhawks, leading to speculation that the neophyte center should be the first pick in the draft, ahead of bold-faced names like Wiggins and Jabari Parker.

The one person pumping the brakes was Embiid himself. “I’m not even thinking about it right now,” Embiid told ESPN a few weeks ago. “I’ll make a decision after the season, but I’m definitely considering coming back to school.”

Most of the time, if a player has the potential to go first in the draft, it’s in his best interests to go pro, lest he get injured the following season or his shortcomings are exposed. But going pro before one is ready is akin to robbing Peter to pay Paul. It’s great to guarantee that first contract, but if it stunts the player’s development, it might hurt his chances at a far more lucrative second deal.

Physically, Embiid might be ready to play in the pros. Though recent back and knee injuries could indicate he’s wearing down a bit, he’s been one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the country.

But mentally and emotionally, Embiid isn’t quite sure he’s there yet, citing his inability to drive a car or eat a healthy diet. Though I could at least drive at 19, looking back, the only thing I was ready for after my freshman year was a few more years of college.

When we previewed the first Oklahoma State-Kansas showdown, the Cowboys were riding high at No. 9. Their two-point loss to Kansas kicked off a stretch in which they lost eight of nine, including an ugly incident when Marcus Smart was goaded into shoving an unseemly Texas Tech fan. A win against Kansas would go a long way toward fixing what ails them.

Last spring, Smart made the surprising decision to eschew the draft and chase a national title. Obviously, things have not necessarily gone as planned. But Smart remains a candidate to go in the Top 5, and he’s undoubtedly learned quite a bit from his travails this year.

[Photo: Getty Images/Getty Images Sport/Ed Zurga]

History shows we should take with a grain of salt that Embiid will follow in Smart’s footsteps. But if he does, it’s a great thing for Kansas, and potentially an even better thing for Embiid.

LAST WEEK:

If you didn’t catch the fantastic Syracuse-Duke rematch, don’t say you weren’t warned. Duke won due to a questionable charge call – and Orange coach Jim Boeheim’s subsequent meltdown – evening the ledger at one win apiece. Is it too much to ask for an ACC Tournament rubber game?

ALSO BE SURE TO WATCH:

The defending champs have beaten the teams they should, easily leading the country in margin of victory. Their nailbiter win over Cincinnati – their first over a ranked opponent – bodes well for this game against Memphis and high-scoring senior guard Joe Jackson.

As you can see, if you’re a fan of college basketball, Saturday is your day. With Syracuse having lost two consecutive games, UVA has a shot to take command for the regular-season ACC title. Between Syracuse’s matchup zone and Virginia’s sneaky-elite defense, expect a tight, low-scoring contest.

TEAM OF THE WEEK:

Roy Williams was dealt a tricky hand this year, losing top returning player P.J. Hairston to eligibility issues. But despite a few blips, the Tar Heels have now beaten each of the top four teams in the preseason rankings. Not a bad job by Williams, who coached a masterful game in an upset of Duke.

SNEAKERS:

UNLV’s Kevin Olekaibe vs. New Mexico, Feb. 19

When you think light-up sneakers, Air Mags (good) and L.A. Gear (not-so-good) likely come to mind. UNLV guard Kevin Olekaibe landed somewhere in the middle with these “UNLV” Air Jordan 3 customs.

When Louisville cut down the nets at Madison Square Garden last March, it was the conclusion of something far greater than simply another conference season. It was the end of the vaunted Big East as we’ve come to know it.

UConn left for The American, taking with it Kemba Walker’s five wins in five days. Defending National Champion Louisville, winner of the past two Big East titles, followed suit. Perennial power Syracuse was off to the ACC, bringing with it Gerry McNamara’s magical run and a six-overtime phenomenon.

When the dust cleared, 20 of the 34 Big East titles belonged to teams in other conferences. Besides seven-time league champion Georgetown, not much about the Big East resembles its perpetual glory days of the past three decades, when it routinely presented some of the most exciting basketball in the sport.

That said, to pine for the good old days is to ignore that the cupboard isn’t necessarily bare. This week’s matchup of Villanova and Creighton is a fine representation of both the heritage and future of the Big East, featuring two teams with perfect conference records clashing over first place.

After a few lean years, Villanova seems back in business. Leading scorer, JayVaughn Pinkston, and lane-enforcer, Daniel Ochefu, are surrounded by the Wildcats’ trademark deep guard contingent — Ryan Arcidiacono, Darrun Hilliard, James Bell and impressive freshman, Josh Hart. Nova has wins over Kansas and Iowa, with its only loss to No. 2 Syracuse.

Meanwhile, Creighton – one of several former Mid-Major powerhouses new to the conference – has the No. 1 offense in the country, powered by senior, Doug McDermott, arguably the leader in the clubhouse for National Player of the Year. Quick and lethal in the low post, McDermott also hits 42 percent of his threes en route to 25 points per game. Creighton gave Duke all it could handle in the second round of the NCAA’s last year, and has designs on going way deeper this year.

“I definitely miss the old Big East, but I’m really thrilled about the new Big East,” Villanova coach Jay Wright recently told USA Today. “I just see so much great potential.”

It might take some time for that potential to be realized, but Creighton-Villanova is a pretty good start.

Also be sure to check out:

Iowa has lost a couple of close games to good teams, but a win over No. 3 Ohio State in Columbus cements that they’re capable of big things. For the defending champion Wolverines, Glenn Robinson III has stepped his game up big-time after the loss of Mitch McGary to lower back surgery.

Iowa State has had a couple of setbacks after a blistering start, but star guard DeAndre Kane – who’s endured a winding path to say the least – knows a bit about triumphing over adversity.

Team of the week:

The young Hoosiers experienced some early growing pains, but dealing No. 3 Wisconsin its first loss on Tuesday might be the spark needed to make them serious players in the Big 10. Sophomore point guard Yogi Ferrell scored 25 points in the upset, and multi-talented freshman Noah Vonleh is on his way to being a lottery pick.

[Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images]

Sneakers:

Nic Moore, SMU, Jan. 15 vs. South Florida

Under the radar, this Illinois State transfer is hitting about half his threes for the Mustangs. Fitting, he wore one of the most slept on Retro Jordans in recent memory. Air Jordan 3 Crimson.

The first, is the Chicago Bulls inspired combination of black and red. The second, is a throwback to Jordan’s days in college as a University of North Carolina Tarheel featuring light blue and white colors. This year, the “Powder Blue” colorway that was made famous on the Air Jordan 9 and Air Jordan 10 back in the early ’90s returns to the limelight for the first time in over two decades.

The Tarheels inspired light blue hue will make its presence felt throughout 2014, and this weekend’s Powder Blue Air Jordan 3 is a highlight of the upcoming Powder Blue Jordan releases. The Powder Blue upper, elephant print, black accents, and a Wolf Grey lining bring the classic elements of the Air Jordan 3 into a colorway that looks like something you’d expect to only see in the UNC Tarheels locker room.